FOI 720/25

ORIGINAL REQUEST (593/25)

Please could you answer the below for the months of January, February and March 2025.

Please send me a log of all of the types of use of force one of your officers used - over these time periods - which fit into the "other/improvised" category on your use of force database. Examples of "other" use of force may include restraining detainees against walls, grappling detainees, punching detainees in the face i.e. any use of force that doesn't fit into your typical use of force categories will likely be included in the "other/improvised" category.

CLARIFICATION

I want to clarify that I want the requested use of force information concerning all officers during the timeframe not just a random one.

Please tell me the number of use of force incidents logged under other/improvised and break this down into the type of use force used in each incident (i.e. the method). I outlined examples of such methods in my initial request.

NEW REQUEST (720/25)

As suggested under S16 is it possible to please process a new request for a reduced time period, say only March 2025? 

RESPONSE

We consulted with our analysts who have conducted a search for all use of force occurrences recorded where ‘other/improvised’, is recorded as the use of force tactic. This search brought back 124 results during the requested time frame (March 2025).

Please see attached document entitled ‘Response data 720_25’ which answers your request. This information provides the description of the tactic used in each occurrence.

Please note the description of the tactic is not held as a specific category but is a free text field completed by officers on the ‘Use of Force Report’ form.

In relation to the redacted information within the response data the following exemption applies:

Section 40(2) - Personal Information

Section 40(2) is an absolute class-based exemption and therefore the authority is not required to consider the public interest in disclosure.

The Data Protection Act covers processing of personal data about a living individual.  Personal data means data which relate to a living individual who can be identified-

1. from those data, or
2. from those data and other information which is in the possession of, or is likely to come into the possession of, the data controller or any other person in respect of the individual.

Information will “relate to” a person if it is about them, linked to them, has some biographical significance for them, is used to inform decisions affecting them, has them as its main focus or impacts on them in any way.

If we disclosed these details, this would provide significant detail which could identify an individual and would breach the first principle of the Data Protection Act 2018.

In accordance with the Act, this letter represents a refusal notice for this part of your request.